Robert B. Richard

Robert B. Richard, age 72 years, of Flemington, NJ, passed away on Monday afternoon, September 23, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on May 17, 1952, in Surabaya, Indonesia, he was the son of the late Armand M. and Marie J. (van Polanen-Petel) Richard. He had formerly resided in the Netherlands as a child before his family immigrated to the United States in 1960. Rob then lived with his family in Flemington, NJ for the last forty-three years.

As a young man, he graduated from Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA, where he was an All-American star soccer player inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. Rob would go on to start his teaching career at West Morris Central High School, Chester Township, NJ, as a biology teacher and boys’ soccer coach. After attaining his master’s degree from Lehigh University, he went on to teach at Hillsborough High School, where he flourished for twenty-three years as the school’s beloved head boys’ soccer coach and biology teacher. Some of his accomplishments in both teaching and coaching included being the Central Jersey Coach of the Year in 1984, the State of NJ Outstanding Biology Teacher in 1991, and finally the Skyland Conference Coach of the Year in 1998 & 1999. Additionally, he was president emeritus of the Biology Teacher’s Association of NJ.

After leaving Hillsborough High School, he went on to become the Supervisor of Sciences at the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District. In retirement, he became an adjunct professor at TCNJ, Ewing Township, NJ, where he mentored the next generation of science teachers. Remaining active in his retirement, he was elected to the Hunterdon Central Board of Education for one term and served as the Education Committee Chairman of the newly created Hunterdon County chapter of the NAACP.

Some of his hobbies included gardening, fishing, traveling, cooking, attending concerts, and cheering on his favorite soccer teams: Arsenal, Barcelona, and the Dutch national team.

Surviving are his loving wife of forty-six years, Helen Dowkontt-Richard; his daughter, Allison Richard, and son-in-law, Sean Mount and granddaughter, Marigold; his daughter, Emily Richard, and son-in-law, J.P. Houchens; as well as his sisters, Kareen Richard and brother-in-law, Pieter Schöller, and Inge B. Richard and brother-in-law, Frank Dellaguzzo; and all of his nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his dog, Obi.

A eulogy service will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 4:00 PM at the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Anyone wishing to speak during the eulogy is welcome to do so. The service will be livestreamed by clicking here: Richard Livestream Link. Friends and relatives may gather for a visitation from 3:00 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498.

For further information or to send an online condolence please visit his Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.